Expansible mandrel

ABSTRACT

A stationary spindle having rotatably attached to the periphery thereof a plurality of ribs extending longitudinally of the spindle, and an axially movable central shaft therethrough connected to an external power source. The ribs are adapted to expand radially with respect to the spindle between a first position spaced from a workpiece mounted therearound and a second position in gripping relationship with the interior wall of the workpiece in response to an axial movement of said central shaft. A cam arrangement, including an axially slidable cam member and an axially stationary cam member, connects the central shaft with the ribs and adapts the ribs to properly align themselves as a result of the tension exerted by axial movement of the central shaft. An end plate attached to the nonrotating spindle bears against the rotating rib assembly in the contracted position, yet is spaced therefrom in the expanded position to selectively prevent and allow rotation thereof. The workpiece may be cylindrical, tapered, or conical shaped, requiring only a change in the ribs to adapt the spindle to receive such members.

United States Patent mamas Shepherd [54] EXPANSIBLE MANDREL [72] Inventor: Donald 0. Shepherd, Route #2, Clover,

[22} Filed: June 1, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 41,819

[52] US. Cl ..242/72.1

[58] Field ofSearch ..242/72.l,72, 110.2,110.1, 242/682 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,564,482 8/1951 Kentis ..242/72.1

2,705,111 3/1955 Bruestle.....

1,710,902 4/1929 Stachowski 3,552,673 1/1971 Evers ..242/72.]

Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Attorney-Hunt, Heard and Rhodes 5 7 ABSTRACT A stationary spindle having rotatably attached to the periphery thereofa plurality of ribs extending longitudinally of the spindle, and an axially movable central shaft therethrough connected to an external power source. The ribs are adapted to expand radially with respect to the spindle between a first position spaced from a workpiece mounted therearound and a second position in gripping relationship with the interior wall of the workpiece in response to an axial movement of said central shaft. A cam arrangement, including an axially slidable cam member and an axially stationary cam member, connects the central shaft with the ribs and adapts the ribs to properly align themselves as a result of the tension exerted by axial movement of the central shaft. An end plate attached to the nonrotating spindle bears against the rotating rib assembly in the contracted position, yet is spaced therefrom in the expanded position to selectively prevent and allow rotation thereof. The workpiece may be cylindrical, tapered, or conical shaped, requiring only a change in the ribs to adapt the spindle to receive such members 8 Claims, 3 Drawing lFigures I00 26 23 16 n2 |4 I0 2 Q 54 2: :f: 2? i 1 l6 I8 I08 79 104 mg 106 1 H0 3o 64 64 88 so 12 14 l s J! l 314 EXPANSIBLIE MANDREL The present invention relates to a mandrel for rotatably, internally, supporting a work object, and more particularly, to a mandrel of the type which rotatably mounts a yarn package by frictionally engaging the inner wall of the package and is activated between a collapsed and expanded position by means of axially movable cam members. Although the invention is described herein as pertaining to the mounting of yarn packages for winding or unwinding, it should be recognized that it would be equally advantageous in other uses, such as an expansible internal chuck for use in machine shop practices.

In the processing of yarn, either synthetic or natural fiber, it is necessary to wind and unwind the yarn onto several different packages. During each of these operations, it is necessary to replace spindles having full packages thereon with empty yarn carriers and spindles that have empty yarn carriers with full packages. It is economically desirable to maximize the machine operating time by minimizing the time necessary for doffing and replacing the yarn carriers. The industry is continuously looking for improved doffmg techniques to significantly reduce the down time of the machine to perform the doffmg operations. It is a device of this nature to which the present invention is directed.

With this purpose in mind, the present invention includes a stationary spindle mounted to a frame and having an axially movable control rod extending therethrough. A rib mounting tube is rotatably mounted around said spindle on a pair of rotatable bearings and includes a plurality of longitudinal ribs mounted therein and radially expandable from a first, retracted position to a second, expanded position in engagement with the inner surface of a yarn carrier to be mounted thereon. A pair of control bearings, having a plurality of aligned radial slots in the periphery thereof and a tapered bottom wall in the slots, are mounted to the rib mounting tube with one bearing at either end, and each pair of aligned slot receiving one of the ribs. The ribs include a tapered segment on the inner wall of each end which are contiguous with the mating tapered walls of the slots. The control bearing at the free end of the spindle is linked to the free end of the axially movable control rod and slidable along the mounting tube in response to axial movement of the control rod. The cam relation between the opposed surfaces of the control bearing and ribs then expands or retracts the ribs depending on the relative position of the two control bearings, while the ribs remain centered between the control bearings on the inclined surface thereof.

In the retracted doffing position, an end plate on the control rod engages one of the cam members primarily to compress a series of springs tending to urge the cam member to an expanded position and secondarily to prevent rotation of the ribs. In the expanded (operative) position, on the other hand, the plate is spaced from the mounting tube to permit movement of the movable cam member to its expanded position and free rotation of the ribs. An interior lubrication system between the mounting tube and spindle keeps the rotatable bearings lubricated continuously.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved expansible mandrel which is quicker and easier to use than those heretofore known.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mandrel of the type described which will quickly and accurately center and support a hollow core cylindrical package, and subsequently release said package.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an expansible mandrel having a rib assembly rotatably mounted to a spindle through a pair of rotatable bearings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an expansible mandrel which selectively releases and engages a package and is power actuated.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device of the type described which can be adapted to existing drive means, braking means, or tension control means.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein a plurality of mandrels according to the present invention can be actuated from a single control source.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which may be adapted to support and center packages having tapered or conical cores as well as those having cylindrical cores.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an expansible mandrel of the type described in which the internal bearings can be lubricated from an external source, thereby reducing frictional retention of said bearings.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a longitudinal sectional view, with parts broken away, illustrating the apparatus according to the present invention in its retracted or collapsed position;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 1, looking from the right end;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, with parts broken away, showing one end of the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 11, except in the expanded position.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. ll, a mounting frame member 10 having an opening 112 therethrough receives spindle lid. A U-shaped cap 16 having a passageway in the base portion thereof, encloses one end of spindle M and is attached thereto by means of a set screw 18, thereby preventing removal of spindle 114 through passageway 12 of frame member 10. A lubricant inlet lll in frame member 10 and a second inlet 13 in spindle li ll permits ingress of lubricant from a source to the interior of the spindle. Spindle 14 further includes yet another lubricant port 40 through the wall thereof at a point intermediate the ends of the spindle.

A retainer plate 22 having an opening 23 therein is fastened to spindle 14 on the opposite side of frame member 10 by means of set screw 24, thereby preventing axial movement of the spindle M in either direction. Retainer plate 22 includes an upper extension 26 to which may be attached some type of apparatus such as a drive or tensioning means as hereinafter described.

An air cylinder 30 having piston shaft 32 extending therefrom is mounted in axial alignment with opening 20 in cap 16 and is suitably attached thereto with shaft 32 extending through opening 20. A control rod 34 is secured to the free end of shaft 32 and extends throughout the length of spindle M within the hollow interior 42 thereof. A bearing means in the form of end plate 36 is attached to the threaded free end of control rod 34 by means of a nut 38.

An annular seal 44 secured to the inner wall of spindle l4 slidably surrounds the free end of control rod 34 and provides a connecting means between the control rod and the spindle, to prevent the loss of lubricant. The inner races 46, 48 of a pair of rotatable bearings 5d, 62 respectively surround spindle M, one at each end thereof, to provide a bearing surface thereon for rotatably mounting the rotating rib assembly as hereinafter described.

The structure heretofore described is the nonrotating portion of the mandrel, while the rotating rib assembly comprising mounting tube 56, cam members 66 and 8t), drum 50, ribs 102 and bearings 54 and 62 is to be described below.

A drive or brake drum 50, having a cutout 52 in the periphery thereof for receiving a belt by which the assembly is driven or braked, surrounds spindle Ml near the base end thereof and is rotatably connected thereto by means of a first rotatable bearing 54. One end of mounting tube 56, extending concentrically along spindle M, is received within a central circular recess 58 in drum 50, while the opposite end of tube 56 is rotatably connected to spindle M by means of rotatable bearing 62. It is to be noted that the rotating rib assembly is rotatably mounted on the nonrotating spindle solely through bearings 54- and 62, thereby minimizing the frictional drag thereon.

Each of the outer ends of mounting tube 56 includes a portion 64 of reduced diameter. A first cam member or control bearing 66 surrounds mounting tube 56 in fixed relation thereto and is fixedly attached to drum 50 by means of several screw and nut assemblies 68 extending through aligned passageways in the bearing and drum. A plurality of pins 70 connect opposed aligned bores 72, 74 in the outer surface of mounting tube 56 and the inner surface of control bearing 66 respectively, to maintain the control bearing and mounting tube in fixed relationship with each other during the rotation of the assembly around spindle 14. A plurality of radial slots 76 are spaced around the periphery of control bearing 66 extending therethrough, and the base or inner wall 78 of each slot is inclined or tapered as illustrated in FIG. 1 in an axial direction for reasons to be hereinafter described.

A second cam member of control bearing 80 at the opposite end of mounting tube 56 comprises a stationary annular ring 82 fixedly attached to the mounting tube and a slidable, slotted cam ring 84, both of which surround and are received in the portion 64 of reduced diameter at the free end of working tube 56. As in the case of control bearing 66, a plurality of radial slots 86 (FIG. 2) are spaced peripherally around the slidable cam ring 84 of control bearing 80, and include an axially inclined or tapered base 88.

A plurality of axially opposed pairs of recesses 90 and 92 are provided in each of annular ring 82 and cam ring 84, respectively, each opposed pair including a coil spring 94 therein having one end in engagement with the base of recess 90, and the other end in engagement with the base of recess 92. The springs 94 serve to urge cam ring 84 outwardly when end plate 36 is moved away, however, the axial path of movement of cam ring 84 is less than that of end plate 36, so that end plate 36 is spaced from cam ring 84, allowing free rotation of the movable rib assembly without frictional drag from the stationary end plate. Moreover, in the retracted position end plate 36 bears against cam ring 84, thus acting as a brake to prevent rotation during doffing.

An expandable rib 100 is received by and extends between each set of radial grooves 76, 86 in cam members 66 and 80, respectively. Each rib 100 includes a narrow, elongated blade 102 having a cutout 104, 106, along the inner edge of blade 102 at each end thereof. Cutouts 104, 106 include a radially inwardly tapered portion 108, 110 which is coextensive with and adapted to mate with the tapered inner walls 78, 88 of control bearings 66, 80, respectively. So arranged, movement of cam ring 84 in an outward direction results in a longitudinal tensional force on each rib causing the ribs to move radially outward and center themselves on inclined bases 78 and 88. A pair of endless coil springs 112 are seated in recesses 114 iongitudinally spaced on the outer edge of blade 102, encircling the assembly and serve to retain the ribs 100 in assembled relationship to the remainder of the assembly throughout the use thereof and bias the ribs toward the retracted position. The outer edges of ribs 100 are beveled at the ends to facilitate assembly of the yarn carrier.

In operation, the mandrel is described as initially being in its retracted or collapsed condition whereby ribs 100 are in their innermost position for doffing or receiving a yarn carrier. A new yarn carrier or package Y to be processed is slipped over the free end of the mandrel and advanced to a position where one end thereof is in engagement with the surface of drum 50.

Air cylinder 30 is then activated causing shaft 32 to move to the right (FIG. 1), shifting end plate 36 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3, slightly spaced from cam ring 84. Movement of end plate 36 to such a position will permit expansion of coil spring 94 resulting in a shift of cam ring 84 axially of the mounting tube 56 to the position shown in FIG. 3.

Such an axial shifting of cam ring 84 will bring about an effective increase in diameter of the mandrel by initially causing the right end of ribs 100 to move radially outwardly and into engagement with the yarn carrier Y. Moreover, the continued movement of cam ring 84 will cause the internal tapered pot tion 108 of rib 100 to shift axially along the inclined base 78 of groove 76 moving the left end of rib 100 into engagement with the yarn carrier, resulting in a centering of the rib and an equalized pressure on the internal walls of yarn carrier Y.

It is also possible to lubricate the inner bearing surfaces of the mandrel by injecting lubricant through lubricant inlet It in frame member 10, from whence it travels through the passageway 13 and into the inner space 42 between spindle l4 and control rod 34. The lubricant exits through port 40 in the wall of spindle l4 and into the space 43 between the spindle l4 and mounting tube 56, from whence the lubricant contacts the inner surfaces of bearings 54 and 62..

It is obvious that other modifications could be made to the apparatus within the scope of the present invention. For example, the number of the ribs may vary substantially without any substantial change in the function of the mandrel.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An expansible mandrel comprising:

a. a stationary spindle fixedly mounted at one end thereof, the free end being adapted to receive a tubular workpiece thereover for mounting along the axis of the spindle;

b. gripping means mounted for rotation about the axis of said stationary spindle and for selective radial expansion and retraction into and out of gripping engagement with the inner wall of said workpiece along the length thereof;

' c. connecting means between said gripping means and said spindle for imparting said radial expansion and retraction to said gripping means and including a pair of axially spaced cam members, one of said cam members being axially movable of said spindle with respect to the other, and said gripping means being expanded in response to the axial movement of said one cam member in a direction away from the other and being retracted in response to the movement of said one cam member in a direction toward the other, said connecting means comprising a mounting tube supporting said cam members in axially spaced relation and having one end thereof connected to said spindle by means of a roller bearing, a drum rotatably mounted to said spindle by means of a rotatable bearing and receiving the other end of said mounting tube, thereby rotatably mounting said gripping means to said spindle; and

d. one of said cam members being slidably mounted to said mounting tube adjacent the free end of said spindle and the other of said cam members being fixedly mounted to said mounting tube adjacent the fixed end of the spindle, said gripping means including a radially inclined inner wall on each end thereof, each of said cam members including a radially inclined outer wall in engagement with one of the radially inclined inner walls of said gripping means, said movable cam member being spring biased toward a position away from said other cam member, an axially movable, nonrotatable control rod extending through said spindle and connected to an external source of reciprocal power, whereby said control rod may be moved back and forth between two axially spaced positions, said control rod further including an end plate on the free end thereof engaging said movable cam member in a first retracted position to urge said cam member axially toward said other cam member, said end plate being movable to a second expanded position responsive to movement of said control rod to permit movement of said one cam member in an axial direction away from said other cam member.

2. The mandrel according to claim 1, wherein said end plate is axially spaced from said movable cam member in said second position.

3. The mandrel according to claim 2, wherein said gripping means comprises a plurality of ribs, each of said cam members including a plurality of slots, the slots of one cam member being aligned with the slots of the other member, said slots ineluding said inclined outer walls and receiving the inclined inner walls of said ribs, and a spring means surrounding said ribs, normally biasing them toward a said first retracted position.

4,. The mandrel according to claim 3, further including means for internally lubricating said rotatable bearing including a conduit means for connecting a source of lubricant to said bearings, said conduit extending between said control rod and said spindle.

5. An expansible mandrel comprising:

a. a stationary spindle fixedly mounted at one end thereof, the free end being adapted to receive a tubular workpiece thereover for mounting along the axis of the spindle;

b. gripping means mounted for rotation about the axis of said stationary spindle and for selective radial expansion and retraction into and out of gripping engagement with the inner wall of said workpiece along the length thereof;

c. connecting means between said gripping means and said spindle for imparting said radial expansion and retraction to said gripping means and including a pair of axially spaced cam members, one of said cam members being axially movable of said spindle with respect to the other and normally biased in a direction away from the other toward an expanded position; bearing means selectively movable between a first position operatively engaging and holding said one cam member in a retracted position and a second position spaced from and releasing said one cam member, whereupon said one cam member isfree to move axially to said expanded position; and

e. said gripping means being expanded and retracted in response to the movement of said bearing means between said first and second positions.

6. The mandrel according to claim 5, wherein said gripping means comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced ribs extending longitudinally of and rotatably attached to said spindle.

7. The mandrel according to claim 5, wherein said gripping means include an inclined inner wall on each end thereof, each of said cam members including a radially inclined outer wall in engagement with said radially inclined inner wall at one end of said gripping means, whereby said movement of one of said cam members axially of said spindle in a direction away from the other cam member causes a resulting radial expansion and axial movement of said gripping means.

3. The mandrel according to claim 5, wherein said connecting means comprises a mounting tube supporting said cam members in axially spaced relation and having one end thereof connected to said spindle by means of a roller bearing, a drum rotatably mounted to said spindle by means of a rotatable bearing and receiving the other end of said mounting tube, thereby rotatably mounting said gripping means to said spindle. 

1. An expansible mandrel comprising: a. a stationary spindle fixedly mounted at one end thereof, the free end being adapted to receive a tubular workpiece thereover for mounting along the axis of the spindle; b. gripping means mounted for rotation about the axis of said stationary spindle and for selective radial expansion and retraction into and out of gripping engagement with the inner wall of said workpiece along the length thereof; c. connecting means between said gripping means and said spindle for imparting said radial Expansion and retraction to said gripping means and including a pair of axially spaced cam members, one of said cam members being axially movable of said spindle with respect to the other, and said gripping means being expanded in response to the axial movement of said one cam member in a direction away from the other and being retracted in response to the movement of said one cam member in a direction toward the other, said connecting means comprising a mounting tube supporting said cam members in axially spaced relation and having one end thereof connected to said spindle by means of a roller bearing, a drum rotatably mounted to said spindle by means of a rotatable bearing and receiving the other end of said mounting tube, thereby rotatably mounting said gripping means to said spindle; and d. one of said cam members being slidably mounted to said mounting tube adjacent the free end of said spindle and the other of said cam members being fixedly mounted to said mounting tube adjacent the fixed end of the spindle, said gripping means including a radially inclined inner wall on each end thereof, each of said cam members including a radially inclined outer wall in engagement with one of the radially inclined inner walls of said gripping means, said movable cam member being spring biased toward a position away from said other cam member, an axially movable, nonrotatable control rod extending through said spindle and connected to an external source of reciprocal power, whereby said control rod may be moved back and forth between two axially spaced positions, said control rod further including an end plate on the free end thereof engaging said movable cam member in a first retracted position to urge said cam member axially toward said other cam member, said end plate being movable to a second expanded position responsive to movement of said control rod to permit movement of said one cam member in an axial direction away from said other cam member.
 2. The mandrel according to claim 1, wherein said end plate is axially spaced from said movable cam member in said second position.
 3. The mandrel according to claim 2, wherein said gripping means comprises a plurality of ribs, each of said cam members including a plurality of slots, the slots of one cam member being aligned with the slots of the other member, said slots including said inclined outer walls and receiving the inclined inner walls of said ribs, and a spring means surrounding said ribs, normally biasing them toward a said first retracted position.
 4. The mandrel according to claim 3, further including means for internally lubricating said rotatable bearing including a conduit means for connecting a source of lubricant to said bearings, said conduit extending between said control rod and said spindle.
 5. An expansible mandrel comprising: a. a stationary spindle fixedly mounted at one end thereof, the free end being adapted to receive a tubular workpiece thereover for mounting along the axis of the spindle; b. gripping means mounted for rotation about the axis of said stationary spindle and for selective radial expansion and retraction into and out of gripping engagement with the inner wall of said workpiece along the length thereof; c. connecting means between said gripping means and said spindle for imparting said radial expansion and retraction to said gripping means and including a pair of axially spaced cam members, one of said cam members being axially movable of said spindle with respect to the other and normally biased in a direction away from the other toward an expanded position; d. bearing means selectively movable between a first position operatively engaging and holding said one cam member in a retracted position and a second position spaced from and releasing said one cam member, whereupon said one cam member is free to move axially to said expanded position; and e. said gripping means being expanded and retracted in response to the movement of said bearing means between said fIrst and second positions.
 6. The mandrel according to claim 5, wherein said gripping means comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced ribs extending longitudinally of and rotatably attached to said spindle.
 7. The mandrel according to claim 5, wherein said gripping means include an inclined inner wall on each end thereof, each of said cam members including a radially inclined outer wall in engagement with said radially inclined inner wall at one end of said gripping means, whereby said movement of one of said cam members axially of said spindle in a direction away from the other cam member causes a resulting radial expansion and axial movement of said gripping means.
 8. The mandrel according to claim 5, wherein said connecting means comprises a mounting tube supporting said cam members in axially spaced relation and having one end thereof connected to said spindle by means of a roller bearing, a drum rotatably mounted to said spindle by means of a rotatable bearing and receiving the other end of said mounting tube, thereby rotatably mounting said gripping means to said spindle. 